We use a retriever at our site and a bridle (length of line with a ring
on both ends, and a ring attached to the towline/retriever line) so that
the tow ring is away from the retriever line. Do you attach the ring to
the parachute, and thus to the model, or do you have a length of line from
the parachute to the tow ring? Sorry to sound a bit stupid here, but have
used retriever so long that I don't remember the old way. (Actually, I'm
not sure if we used chutes or just a streamer of ribbon on the old winch
lines. I know I never used a chute on my high-starts).
.........bc ([EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.widomaker.com/~conk
Williamsburg, VA 23185
On Wed, 17 Jul 2002, Harley Michaelis wrote:
> I'm wondering how others rig the end of the towline to avoid it snagging the
> tail on release. This has happened numerous times in the past and twice
> lately. I know about circling over the stake which is fine if there is
> control, but sometimes the ship just loses airspeed and tumbles down.
>
> Most recently, where a retriever was not being used, in one instance the
> chute was closed and caught where a stab half plugs on. The ship was still
> flying and handling okay. I dropped the flaps to make an abrupt, but safe,
> landing upwind.
>
> In the other recent instance, the line snagged around the tail and the
> chute, fully opened, was dragging behind. This killed the airspeed. There
> was no control and the ship just tumbled down and hit very oddly, causing
> damage.
>
> It appears that where a chute is used and a zoom launch is done, the chute
> opens on release, flys straight back without dropping and the line can
> easily get entangled with the tail.
>
> What is really wierd is that at times, the line is wrapped around both the
> wing the tail end and cuts into the surfaces and paint to do cosmetic
> damage.
>
> Rigging suggestions?
>
>
> Harley Michaelis, 26 S. Roosevelt, Walla Walla, WA 99362, ph. (509) 529-2562
>
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